Paris, Feb 10 (NNN-KUNA) Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah welcomed on Saturday the agreement signed in Makkah between Fatah and Hamas during a meeting sponsored on Thursday by Saudi's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Attiyah said this agreement would have a positive impact on stopping Palestinian bloodshed and boosting national unity.

"This agreement is also important as it would deny Israel the opportunity of claiming there is no real Palestinian partner to negotiate with it," he added.

He noted that the "the historic Makkah agreement is considered a refute of these Israeli claims and is proof that Palestinians are able to negotiate over the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."

The GCC official also stressed it was important that the world "be aware of the just Palestinian cause and to work on ending this ordeal as it is considered the key to Middle Eastern peace, stability, and security." On a different note, Al-Attiyah praised His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as being keen on supporting and contributing to joint GCC activities early in its establishment.

The secretary general also highlighted major accomplishments of His Highness Sheikh Sabah in the political, economic, and social fields, including his role in Kuwaiti women's attainment of their full political rights.

Meanwhile, Al-Attiyah indicated he would be heading to Vienna on Feb 20 following the decision of the Summit of GCC Leaders held in Riyadh last December to study the construction of a joint, peaceful nuclear program in GCC member states.

He said the study required contacts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure transparency in line with international standards, thus he would be holding talks with the energy agency on this issue.

Al-Attiyah recalled the recent statement of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait on establishing a transparent and clear nuclear programme for peaceful purposes.

During a press conference held at the Arab Press Club (CAPE), Al-Attiyah said Iran was a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and therefore had the right to own nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

He said, however, this required that it give guarantees to neighboring states, especially the GCC, regarding this program, calling for holding diplomatic dialogue to overcome this crisis and abiding by conditions set by the IAEA.

Al-Attiyah called on all concerned sides to be rationale and use logic to avoid war or the use of force so as to resolve this issue.

GCC member states, he said, looked forward to further development while enjoying peace and security, especially after witnessing three wars, which included an attempt at erasing a whole country from the world map -- alluding to the 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

He stressed the region "cannot bear anymore pressure." The entire international community, he said, was concerned over the Iranian nuclear file, saying he called on the US administration to avoid war as anything but peaceful negotiations would have a negative impact on the whole region.

GCC states have a clear and stable stance, namely "to avoid the use of force against a friendly and neighboring state," he said.

On Iraq, Al-Attiyah said every GCC country was affected by the situation there "as it is painful to see the country reaching such a stage." He noted efforts exerted within the framework of the Arab League to support Iraq, saying violence in Iraq "is not resistance but terrorism" which had its impact on GCC member states and the Arab world as a whole.

Al-Attiyah is visiting the country to address a forum on European affairs.

He met on Friday the new president of the Arab World Institute (IMA) during which the two sides discussed means to further boost bilateral cooperation in the cultural field.